advocacy

Wednesday January 3, 2024

The Ontario government, under the banner of "Open for Business," faces severe criticism for neglecting the Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act (AODA), missing the 2025 deadline and disregarding crucial recommendations, leaving millions of Ontarians with disabilities in limbo.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday January 3, 2024

Ontario’s Disastrous Neglect of Disabilities Advocacy Amidst Ford’s Business Crusade

In the grand symphony of political promises and strategic messaging orchestrated by the Ford government, there’s one crucial melody playing faintly in the background — the Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act (AODA). As the government proudly trumpets its “Open for Business” stance, it conveniently sidesteps the abysmal failure in meeting the 2025 deadline for accessibility, leaving millions of Ontarians with disabilities in the shadows.

The year 2005 witnessed unanimous applause in the Legislative Assembly as politicians committed to making the province accessible by 2025. David Lepofsky, chair of the AODA Alliance, vividly recalls the celebratory moment. Yet, 18 years later, he laments the lack of progress, emphasizing that government after government has done little more than deliver empty speeches while turning a blind eye to the urgent needs of 2.9 million Ontarians with disabilities.

Despite the government’s legal obligation to implement and enforce AODA standards related to goods, services, accommodation, employment, and buildings, the province remains woefully behind. The slow pace of implementation, coupled with a lack of meaningful engagement with advocacy groups, underscores the glaring indifference toward the very people the government claims to represent.

News: Ontario accessibility in ‘crisis,’ says report quietly released by Ford government  

Anthony Frisina of the Ontario Disability Coalition aptly points out that the government’s failure to prioritize the AODA puts people with disabilities at risk. The dismissive attitude towards their concerns perpetuates the harmful notion that individuals with disabilities are merely “complainers,” contributing to the existing barriers they face daily.

The reviews conducted in 2014, 2019, and the recent one in June 2024 all echo the same sentiment — the government’s approach is ineffective. Organizations might express support for AODA’s goals, but the province’s failure to provide guidance and enforce implementation renders the legislation toothless. Progress, where acknowledged, falls short of transforming the everyday experiences of people with disabilities, leaving them grappling with inaccessible public spaces and archaic buildings.

Rich Donovan’s advice, presented in the fourth review, has been met with a disappointing response from the government. Despite the urgency conveyed in the recommendations, crucial calls for a crisis committee chaired by Premier Doug Ford to address public safety, broader AODA action plans, and a dedicated agency for accessibility have been conveniently ignored. This dismissive stance raises serious doubts about the government’s commitment to closing the accessibility gap by 2025.

While Premier Ford revels in the narrative of being a champion for business, the disability community continues to suffer the consequences of systemic neglect. The Ford government’s reluctance to prioritize accessibility issues reveals a stark dissonance between its lofty proclamations and the harsh realities faced by those relying on the fulfillment of the AODA’s promise.

In the shadow of Ford’s supposed business triumphs, the disabled community finds itself relegated to a forgotten corner, waiting for a government that prioritizes their needs over self-congratulatory rhetoric. The “Open for Business” slogan rings hollow when the doors of accessibility remain firmly closed for millions of Ontarians with disabilities. (AI)

Wednesday July 23, 2014

Wednesday July 23, 2014By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday July 23, 2014

Pen Canada hit with audit by Canada Revenue Agency, joining other charity groups critical of Harper government

The Canada Revenue Agency has launched a political-activities audit of Pen Canada, a small charity promoting freedom of expression that has criticized the Harper government in the past.

Two tax auditors showed up Monday morning at the tiny Toronto offices of Pen Canada, asking to see a wide range of internal documents.

Pen Canada’s president, Philip Slayton, says the tax agency gave notice of the audit two or three months ago, and that the group is “fully co-operating.”

Pen Canada represents more than 1,000 writers and supporters, including Canadian literary luminaries Margaret Atwood and Yann Martel, and presses for freedom of expression at home and abroad.

The group has been highly critical of the Harper government in recent years for the muzzling of scientists on the public payroll, and for alleged spying on Canadian citizens in concert with U.S. eavesdropping agencies.

This latest political-activity audit is among more than 50 that the agency has begun since 2012, which some critics have said creates an “advocacy chill” as charities self-censor for fear of losing their ability to raise funds through tax-deductible donations.

Saturday, February 2, 2013The wave of audits was announced by the federal government in the 2012 budget, and some groups have been under threat of losing their charitable status for more than two years. The list of targets includes Amnesty International Canada, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Canada Without Poverty, and the David Suzuki Foundation.

The Canada Revenue Agency says its work is conducted without political direction from government. (Source: National Post)

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